Tips for setting goals and crushing them

We are a little over halfway through 2017, how are you doing with your goals? Did you know that only 8 percent of people meet their New Years Resolution goals? EIGHT!? Which group are you in? The 8% or the 92% who set goals and let them go somewhere along the way?

Are you happy with where you are in life: physically, mentally, financially, emotionally? If not, lets set some goals in a SMART manner and get you there! PS – have you listened to this song lately? It’s the BEST.

I am going to take a guess that if you have abandoned your goals by now it is likely due to very simple things that can be adjusted. Great news right?! I will teach you a simple acronym to use when you are setting goals: SMART!

But before you start spouting out goals sit down and take a few days, find some quiet time, and ponder: What do I want to accomplish? What is important to me? What do I want to change? Once you have those things figured out for you, goal setting will be much easier to begin. If you set goals based on society or what others want for you, you will fall into the 92% again and again.

So, if you really are ready to get goals and crush them, keep reading. If you aren’t ready to change and want to keep complaining about why you aren’t meeting your goals, save this post for when you are ready to really make a change.

S – Specific. Setting a goal of “I will go to the gym” “I will lose weight” “I will save money” are too vague.

M – Measurable. (How far, how much, how long, etc. How will you know when you meet this?) For example, I will run a half marathon in November 2017. Notice that the goal isn’t: I will run a half marathon. That’s too vague, it doesn’t put a measurable time sensitive date tied to the goal.

A – Achievable (Is this reasonable – from a physical, financial, time, etc. standpoint?) For example, I will save 20,000 dollars in my savings account in a month. Is this reasonable? Instead try: I will save 200.00 per month and put into my savings account.

R – Relevant (Is this worthwhile to your life, your happiness, your family, your overall wellness? Is this something that you are invested in to positively change your functioning?)

T – Time sensitive (Target date for completion) This is where most people really miss the mark. If I had a dollar for every time someone told me they wanted to lose 40 lbs in a month, I’d be a millionaire. Then when said person doesn’t accomplish their unrealistic goal, it’s everyone’s fault but his/her own. Instead try this: I will lose 40 lbs in a year. You will set quarterly or monthly goals within the larger goal to keep motivation and focus.

Let me give you a more detailed example of a common goal set regarding weight loss.

Goal: Sarah wants to lose 20 lbs by October 2017.

-Objective 1: Sarah will exercise 5 days a week for at least 30 minutes a day.

-Objective 2: Sarah will only eat out once a week.

-Objective 3: Sarah will drink at least 60 ounces of water a day.

Sarah will track all of her objectives to hold herself accountable

Now, don’t just do this in your mind and think “Okay Erin I set my goal.” WRITE IT DOWN. Write it on a piece of paper on your refrigerator, write it on a piece of paper and post it at work, write it on your calendar so that it is front and center!

If you write down your goal you are 42% more likely to follow through. Want to increase that chance? Talk to a friend, family member, mentor, health coach – if you verbally tell your goal to someone else who will hold you accountable? You are 78% more likely to follow through!

6 Comments

Sarah B.

July 8, 2017 at 11:35 pm

It’s so funny you shared the S.M.A.R.T. Goals today because that’s what was covered during my 5K training today. My goal is to jog/run the 5K in September. I’m not going to worry about the time or pace for my first 5K. I just don’t want to walk any of it.

FitFamilyLife

I’ve done two and am currently working on my third 101 things in 1001 days list. They have really trained me along these lines of thinking about goals. Thanks for the mid-list and mid-pregnancy attitude boost!